A Tour to Remember

Mr Millinchip’s final foreign tour in charge of Cantores Roborienses saw the choir give several beautiful performances on a sometimes poignant trip to Belgium that took place over the Easter holidays.

The first full day was spent in Bruges. The choir enjoyed a day seeing the sights and riding tandems in the town square before arriving at their first prestigious concert venue, Bruges Cathedral, where they gave a concert to a large and appreciative audience. The choir's music was complemented by solos from Sam Williams (cello) and Rachel Blackett (flute). Mr Millinchip spoke of showing solidarity with the Belgian people, following the awful recent events, and the choir received a standing ovation from the audience.

The next morning Mr Madden set the scene for the day's events with an illustrated talk on the First World War battle of Ypres, and after lunch we set off for Tyne Cot cemetery. One of the most moving moments of the tour was the barbers shop boys singing 'Only Remembered' in front of the rows of crosses.

The choir then continued to Ypres, and after the obligatory chocolate-buying opportunity, arrived at St George's Anglican Church to sing Choral Evensong. The vicar explained that the church had been built after the war and that every item had been given in memory of someone. After Evensong they walked down to the Menin Gate to take part in the nightly Last Post ceremony in front of some 2000 people. The choir's unaccompanied songs sounded beautiful and this was an unforgettable experience for many and a moving way to finish Mr Millinchip's final foreign tour in charge of the choir.